The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-30
The Years New Mileage.

CHICAGO, Dec 29.-The Railway Age, to-mcr-
row. will say: .The year 1857 has surpassed all
other years in the extent of railway mileage
constructed in the United States When. six
months ago, the prediction made in these
columns that the total mileage for the
year would not be less than 1000 miles. with
the likelihood of passing the record OF 1882, the
year of greatest railway construction in the his
tory of the country, it was not generally be-
lieved. But the figures obtained by careful in
yes tigation throughout the year, and confirmed
by official information, prove the prediction to
have been more than warranted. Our returns
show that during 1887 no less than ~ 724 miles
of new main line track added to the rail
way system of the United States, account
being taken in this of the hundreds of miles OF
side track built, nor of the thousands
of miles OF mainline tracks
laid While the search has been
unusually thorough and the totals corroborate
improbable that some scattering additions
yet be received so that it is safe to say that
during 1887 nearly, if not quite. $4,000 miles Of
mainline track were constructed. When,
in 1882 during period of extraordinary activi-
ty. II, SOS miles of new road were built, 1T was
generally believed that these figures would not
again be equaled. In the following year, 1883,
the new construction fell to 6, al miles in 1884,
10 g. S25 and in 1885 TO COS miles The year
1886 witnessed a considerable revival of activity,
aud 9, 0U0 miles of new road were built-a great
mileage than IN any previous year with the
captions of 1881 and 1882: and now 1887 has
witnessed the building of more miles of railway
than 1886 and 1885 combined, and not much less
than 1885, 1884 and 1888 together. A recapitu-
lation of the construction in the different sec
tions of the country shows that the greater part
of this prodigious increase has taken place in a
few Western States. New England and New
York contribute scarcely anything to the grand
total The great Middle States add very
little, and the additions in the South
ern States are not as large as
many anticipated, although Alabama presents a
fine record with over 500 miles; Georgia adds
% miles. Florida nearly 200. and Kentucky
and North Carolina each a little less than that
The Northwestern States, Including Michigan,
Illinois. Iowa and Minnesota, have shown very
considerable activity. but the great rush of
railway building has been in the central belt
west of the Missouri. Kansas leads with the
j, 101 miles. almost equaled by Texas. with
j. 055 miles. Then in order come the following:
Colorado 81S; Dakota. $50; Michigan, 200; Mon
tana GIG; Missouri 554; Indian Territory, AGO.
and so on. Four States and two Territories,
namely, Kansas, Texas. Nebraska, Colorado,
Dakota and Montana, together. show an adj
tion of 6. 400 miles, or about one-half or the
entire years mileage of the country. Many of
the lines have been built through comparatively
level country, requiring but little grading
and bridge building; but the other hand,
many of the lines have been very costly; for ex-
ample those over the Rocky mount ains, in Col
orado the Southern Pacific extension north
ern California. the Atchson. Kansas & Chicago
extension; the Northern Pacific work in the
Cascade mountains, and others. Moreover,
several of the companies have purchased costly
termina facilities in large cities, while nearly
all have made extensive purchases of equip
ment 1t is probably fair TO that the
total cost of roadway, bridges, station buildings,
terminal facilities and equipment of these
lines averaged $50. 600 per mile at which rate it
appears that not far from 1925. 000. 600 have
been expended on the lines completed during
the year The money which has thus been
pended has temporarily employed large army
of workmen, and has also furnished permanent
emf loym to another great army, probably
aggregating 60. 600 persons. The railway mile
age of the United States at the comm encement
of 1887 was stated be 137. CSC miles, The
tensions for the year here recorded increase 1t
to $50. 10 miles"